Returning from work to discover that her parents were murdered by a dead Capo, Aurora seeks answers from her uncle. He tells her the truth and that strengthens her resolve to get revenge from the children of her parent's murderers. Finally she gets to the Capo's house to get Vendetta from his children, especially Matteo the first son and Capo of the Outfit. But is it possible when she realizes that the man she wants to kill might be the only man she could ever love?
Chapter 1
Aurora's POV
"I want revenge for the death of my parents." I fumed, but a tad bit scared at the decision I had made.
"What do you mean by having revenge?" He asked, looking bewildered.
"I can't think of anything else to do, Uncle. The thirst for revenge doesn't want to be quenched even if it's all in the past."
"You can't have any revenge and you won't. This isn't the right time."
"No! Uncle. There is no way I'm going to let the death of my parents slide. Those people made me orphans and even though they aren't alive to face the consequences as I'd have wanted, their sons will pay for it." I spat, my fingers clenching into fists as my face turned red.
My uncle, Lorenzo, had told me the truth about the death of my parents yesterday and I couldn't just stay still. Anger boiled in me as I remembered the story he told me, and I wanted nothing more than to kill them myself.
It wasn't possible as Aldo Moretti was dead and so was his wife.
"No, principessa. You are a woman and you should concern yourself with getting married, raising kids and pleasing your husband. Not going on some revenge mission like your life depends on it." He snapped, getting frustrated at my resolve to get revenge.
"Unfortunately, my life depends on what I'm about to do. There's no way I can live like a normal human knowing that my innocent parents are still stirring restlessly in their graves. My decision is final and I'm leaving for New York next week." I concluded, with my jaw ticking in absolute resolve.
There was nothing he could do to change my mind.
I stared at my uncle's house one more time as I stood at the facade. My eyes darted to the flowers that decorated the porch and the white frangipani trees that were planted in a straight pattern. I could remember feeling whole whenever I inhaled the vanilla scent of its flowers.
The beautiful bungalow I had known to be home wouldn't be one anymore.
Finally, I'd found a way to convince my uncle on my revenge mission. I had to do it for my sanity to remain intact and also to honor my late parents. They didn't deserve to die as the reason for their death still sounded trivial to me.
"Promise me you'll be fine, Principessa." Uncle Lorenzo tugged my arm like a little child and I could see him struggle to keep his emotions in check.
We were both strong people that taught ourselves never to show our emotions. I'd have cried if I was any other girl, but I wasn't that type. Crying wasn't just my thing.
"I'll be fine, uncle and I promise to text you everyday." I promised as I put the last box in the car's booth.
He hugged me as I relished every moment of our time together. I was taking a big risk and Matteo would never forgive me if he found out my true intentions.
"If things spiral out of your control, please come back home."
"Sure thing." I said as I pulled out of his embrace and hopped into the 2018 Toyota Mirai that was to take me to the airport.
Everything was set in place. I'd found a spot in the Capo's house which was what I needed. There was a saying that the easiest way to get a man was his stomach, I wasn't sure it applied to him but I still had to try.
My flight was scheduled for 2pm and I just had thirty minutes left to get to the airport. Streaks of nervousness were already flowing into me but I calmed myself.
🌺
Three hours later, I was heading to the Capo's mansion in a luxurious limousine. My uncle made sure that I was comfortable and I almost ran back to thank him.
The closer we got to his house, the more anxiety overwhelmed me. How was I going to cope with the devil himself, someone that reminded me of my parent's killers?
The chauffeur took a narrow bend and drove straight ahead. I fed my eyes with the sight of high rising buildings with some bungalows in between them.
"We have arrived, Signorina." He said in Italian and I opened the car door.
I got out to meet a huge house standing in front of me. My eyes darted to my sides and I realised that unlike other buildings that we passed by, the Capo's house was secluded from the view of others.
The chauffeur brought my medium sized box and a bag and offered to take it to the house.
"No, sir. I don't want to be a bother. I can take care of myself." I refused and bowed.
He smiled kindly and drove away, leaving me to my fate. My heart thudded faster and I felt like changing my mind as the reality of what I was about to do dawned before me.
The gate opened before me and a hefty man stood by the side with an emotionless face, just the way I did.
"Good evening, Miss. The Capo's brother awaits you inside." He announced with a slight Italian accent then took my box from me, dragging it while I walked behind him.
The mansion was a sight to behold, yet it echoed blood money in loud volumes. The lawns were decorated with different types of flowers I couldn't identify, then a pool was pitched at the farther end of the building.
I stopped ogling and increased my pace to match the man's step as I didn't want to miss my way.
He opened the door and handed the box back to me while I walked in. I was greeted by dark marble columns and floors which matched the white grandeur ceilings. There were several large windows with brown flowery curtains draping over it.
A woman who was likely to be in her mid forties came to me with a curt smile plastered on her lips.
"Good evening, ma'am." I greeted and swallowed.
She scrutinised me slowly, giving a frown at the sleeveless blouse I wore. I had taken off my denim jacket earlier and forgot to put it back.
"What is your name?" She asked coldly, as she retreated to an armchair that sat in the middle of the living room. The seat looked fluffy and soft.
Obviously, Matteo had a high taste in furniture.
"Aurora Mancini." I replied quickly.
My uncle and I had argued about changing my name but I found no reason to. Besides, my killers were dead and I doubted that Matteo Moretti, the ruthless Capo, had any reason or time to search for me.
"Aurora.. That's a strong name." She muttered as I bit back the scoff that nearly fell off my lips. "My name is Ginevra. Sit there and make yourself comfortable, I'll be back soon." She ordered and I lowered myself onto the armchair.
The softness and fluffiness helped me relax a bit as my eyes kept darting to every single furniture in the house. The centre table was made with the finest wood which was smoothened to perfection.
The doors were wooden too, but they looked very hard, maybe harder than steel. That I couldn't tell as I just wanted to be done with the introductions.
Heels of shoes clicked from the stairs. I watched Ginevra and a handsome young man walk towards me. His face was cold and his eyes emotionless as I had seen in pictures.
I quickly stood up to greet them, but my heart tinged with disappointment seeing that it wasn't Matteo.
Damn! Why was he looking like a Greek God? I noticed that I was drooling then batted my lashes while he observed me slowly with a subtle expression that revealed desire in its tiniest bit.
Did he like me?
One casual visit to her father's study; an unplanned collision with the malevolent Russian Bratva mafia boss plunged her life into a downward spiral. Forced to marry him for an alliance that bordered on keeping her family's business stronger, she had no choice but to accept her fate after an unsuccessful attempt at absconding right before the wedding. But with each new discovery about him, she realized that the masked husband she despised so much had several layers that tugged at her heartstrings, giving her no choice but to fall deeply for him. However, what happens when the dreary and dark secrets from his past resurfaces and threatens to disrupt not just their blooming relationship and his position as Capo, but their existence as well?
"Tell me, how much do you want me?" "I... I don't know, Prince Gradel." I couldn't think straight, my body ached and my soul sang with an overwhelming need for one thing. His touch. ***** Iris Damine had the whole universe conspiring against her. From being a wolfless omega, to being framed for theft and eventually being sentenced for taking the Prince's heirloom, she had sins stacked against her like a pack of cards. Gradel, prodigal prince of Grey Rock pack and son of Alpha Cronus, has zero interests in anything that concerns the pack. But with his father's health declining and the pack on the verge of collapse, he's charged with new responsibilities. And only the wolfless omega he despises can help him. What happens when their forced union threatens to unravel the other feelings they struggle to hide? Would the moon goddess step in and save them from themselves or would the end of this forbidden romance be filled with heartache and sadness?
"After what you did, I'd like you to know that I can't stand you, but this marriage cuts across our hateful feelings for each other. It's something you will never understand." His eyes turned dark and vengeful immediately, causing me to take a step back. "This is my life, Dexter. You won't ruin it for me with your so-called marriage contract." I protested. He shook his head, and immediately the vengeful glints I saw were replaced with an unreadable expression. "If you don't marry me, then your life will be completely ruined, dear Lorraine. And don't forget that you have a lot of enemies, especially your step father. ************** Fate brings two former high school enemies back together in an unreasonable situation and for some reasons, Lorraine has to marry Dexter, the man she despises. But when she signs the contract, she discovers that there are several secrets that are hidden from her and it becomes worse when her husband isn't who she thinks him to be. Amidst the trials and challenges, they'll find themselves falling for each other again even though reality keeps reminding them why they shouldn't. Will their love conquer all? Will Lorraine be able to forgive Dexter despite knowing his hideous past? Will she be able to survive all the deadly arrows thrown at her by her stepfather?
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?